Backstage with Illamasqua

Summer is my favourite season. I love the heat, the colour and the lifestyle. Last week, Australian department store Myer previewed their spring / summer fashion and it reminded me how close summer is, I can almost feel it.

On location at Carriageworks, Eveleigh

Pre-show set ups

The calm before the storm backstage

Cult beauty brand Illamasqua, stocked exclusively at Myer in Australia, directed the four looks for the show. Make up directors Nicola Burford and Natasha Severino, took inspiration from the Western Australian desert landscapes to create these sparkling looks.

Natasha Severino at work

Natasha Severino said that inspiration for these looks came while shooting the Myer catalogue in The Pinnacles and on amazing white sand dunes in Western Australia. Usually Illamasqua is known for its quirky and crazy makeup (such as their stunning Toxic Nature collection) but the looks Nicola and Natasha created are incredibly wearable.

The four looks created – clockwise from top left – Bronze ombre, white heat, nude and sunset pink

The focus was on glowing skin, with Illamasqua Gleam Cream mixed in with cream foundation to enhance the glow. Powder blush in Disobey, a soft biscuit shade, was used for contouring and cream blush in Lies as a highlight. Sheer lip gloss gave a sheen to nude lips. Touches of the hair glitter were used under eye.

Intense glitter hair in sunset pink ombre

Brad Ngata at work

The hair was intense. The shimmery sunsets inspired four glittering looks – bright white, pink ombre, bronze ombre and a clear sequined chignon. Brad Ngata and the L’Oreal team created a desert mirage with this glittering look. Large grain glitter was mixed with gel and painted on to slick chignons. The hair was sprayed underneath to intensify the colours. I don’t recommend trying this at home unless you are ok with finding glitter everywhere for the next four months.

Backstage tip – sticky tape to remove glitter

Natasha’s makeup trends for summer are all about colour. She says summer is the perfect time for bold lips and nails and to highlight glowing skin. Keep an eye out for pastel nails this season such as Illamasqua ‘Blow’ and ‘Wink’ featuring on the catwalk.

Have you been to Western Australia? The Pinnacles are a surreal place and the landscape and the sunsets there are amazing. Don’t get me started on how beautiful the water is there.

Back to the makeup, do you love these looks? What’s your tip for glowing skin in summer?

Sadly I couldn't make the event but I am glad I could still see what happened backstage. I can see why the makeup looks are low key after seeing all the hot pink glitter painted on the model's heads by Brad Ngata and co! Great write up Christina, it was interesting to see what colours and techniques were used.Tammerly, http://www.pinkdivabeauty.com